Aquarium carpet plants are live aquatic plants that spread themselves around the substrate of the aquarium, forming a natural carpet. These plants are one of the most important additions to the aquascaper’s toolbox. They are used to create lush, grassy growth similar to a lawn and fill in the foreground. Since they grow at the bottom of the aquarium, carpet plants need more light than other aquatic plants.
However, aquarium carpet plants are not just for flaunting. Besides improving the aesthetic appeal of your aquarium, they provide other benefits too. For example, they help prevent algae growth by using nutrients produced by uneaten food, fish waste and organic debris. In addition, they enhance the water quality significantly. They also produce oxygen during the day, which is used by fish and help maintain the pH level of water.
This article will take you through our top 5 most beautiful aquarium carpet plants and provide you with important information on each of them.
5 Most Beautiful Aquarium Carpet Plants
Dwarf Hairgrass
Dwarf Hairgrass is a famous and easy to keep aquarium carpet plant that yields a grass-like lawn with ideal conditions. It is strong and can grow under various conditions, making it a perfect choice for beginner aquarists. As the name suggests, these plants have thin, bright green blades that spread horizontally along the ground by growing runners (stolon).
Moreover, these plants create ideal carpets for shrimp aquariums, providing thick, dense cover where young shrimps can hide and stay protected from predators. Dwarf Hairgrass grows very fast and covers the entire substrate of the tank within weeks. Hairgrass can grow up to 8 inches tall so that it might overwhelm a small tank.
Java Moss
Java Moss is probably one of the most beautiful and adaptable aquarium carpet plants. It will happily grow on just about any surface like gravel, driftwood, rock and even a resin aquarium ornament. Additionally, it can grow under various light conditions without any fertilizers, making it an ideal choice for new aquarists.
These aquatic plants will help convert your aquarium into a self-sufficient ecosystem. Java Moss will help reduce nitrates, nitrites and ammonia levels in the water. Also, it provides a good refuge for young shrimp and increases the surface area in which they can graze.
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is one of the latest aquarium carpet plants in the trade. It produces small round, beautiful green leaves. It will rapidly spread around the surface once planted in mats and cover the substrate easily.
If given enough nutrients and lighting, it can grow into a deep, dense carpet of green foliage. Monte Carlo can grow optimally in Wabi Kusa and dry start aquariums. These plants are very easy to produce and maintain; therefore, they are available in most aquatic stores. A constant supply of carbon dioxide is not important to grow these plants. CO2 supplementation is only required if you want to make the carpet denser. And to keep the plant healthy, you only need to maintain the water at room temperature.
Brazilian Micro Sword
Micro Sword is a grassy looking aquatic plant perfect for creating an impressive aquarium carpet. They are a bit thicker than Dwarf Hairgrass in appearance. It can form a dense carpet if grown under favourable conditions. Micro Sword’s have wide, bright green blades that spread horizontally along the ground by growing runners. Most aquarists trim these plants regularly to create a “lawn effect”.
The height of the Brazilian Micro Sword ranges from 5 – 8 cm, although this varies depending on the lighting, CO2 levels and nutrient availability. Even though beginners use it in the field, Micro Sword is not easy to grow and maintain. Like other aquarium carpet plants, they need proper trimming. However, no other special care is essential for their growth.
Glossostigma Elatinoides
Glossostigma Elatinoides is a dense and bright green aquarium carpet plant that looks excellent in the foreground of any aquarium. This charming little plant has tiny, oval-shaped leaves. They are perfect for carpeting Iwagumi-style aquascapes. However, it can be effective in large aquariums to create a compact, low and dense carpet that can spread rapidly under the right conditions.
Glosso is primarily used in freshwater aquariums. Although it is not very easy to grow or recommended for beginners, it is still highly popular among aquarists. Glosso is a highly demanding plant when it comes to temperature and lighting. These aquarium carpet plants require high levels of light. In fact, the plant will not achieve its carpet look if it doesn’t receive the proper amount of illumination. It will start growing vertically rather than horizontally without enough light.
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